Gas apparatus.



' JN0. 841,719. PATENTED m31 z2, 190?.

"0. W. HINMAN W. P. WELLMAN. GAS APPARATUS.

APMGATION FILED APB..1S.1905.

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

GAS APPARATUS, APPLIGATION rum APB.1s, 19o5.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Iza/@miam MAM-M,

10.841.779y y PATENTBD JAN. 22, 1907.

G. W. HINMAN & W. P. WELLMAN.

GAS APPARATUS.

APPLIGATIQN FILED 11.113.13.1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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UnrrRn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' CHARLES w. HTNMAN, or BoSToN, AND WALTER FLWELLMAN, or

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS..

GAS APPARATUS. t

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 22, 1907.

Application filed April 13,1905.4 ASerial No. 255,321.

following is a specification. ro

The invention relates to an apparatus forproducing gas by supplying air and a hydrocarbon liquid to a carbureter in such fixed and definite proportions that a definite and practically uniform mixture of air and hydrocarbon vapor will be generated which is suit-l able for heating and lighting purposes without further admixture of air. yIn apparatus of this character it has heretofore been customary to locate the carbureter and the devices for supplying air and hydrocarbon liquid thereto within the building which is to-be supplied` with the gas. This arrangement of the apparatus results in the presence of hydrocarbon liquid in. greater or less quantities within the building, and for this reason this typeof apparatus has not found favor with either insurance underwriters or rwith persons who would otherwise be disposed to utilize such apparatus.

The primary object of thel present invention is to provide an apparatus of the type referred to in which the carbureter, measuring device for thehydrocarbon liquid, and other parts containing hydrocarbon liquid may-be located at any desired distance from the devices for supplying air to the carbureter and the devices for controlling the operation of the measuring device for the hydrocarbon liquid -and'which at the same time will be simple and practicable in construction and operate in a reliable and efficient manner to produce the desired quality of gaseous mixture. Such an apparatus enables all the parts containing hydrocarbon liquid to be located at a safe distance from the building within which the gas is to be used, while the air-supplying devices and the devices for controlling the yoperation of the hydrocarbon measuring` device may be located within the building where they are conveniently accessible and may operate under favorable conditions.

In practicing our invention we operate the device for supplying gasolene or other hydrocarbon liquid to the carbureter in a definite proportion to the air passing througln the carbureter by a fluid-motor and connectthe motor by piping with a valve or other device for controlling the supply and exhaust of the motive fluid for the motor. We are thus enabled to locate the controlling device'at any desired distance from the measuring device without introducing any complicate; or impractical connections. VV'e are also en` abled to arrange the controlling device where it may be operated or controlled through the operation of the air-supplying device even when the air-supplying device is located .at a considerable distance from Y the carbureter. In the practice' of this feature of the invention any suitable form of measuring device and any suitable form of motor may be used and the operation of the motor may be controlled in any suitable and desiredmanner, depending upon the form of measuring device and the manner in which the hydrocarbon li uid is to be supplied to the carbureter, v provi ed the operation of the measuring device is such that a given amount of liquid is delivered for a given amount of air. We prefer, however7 to so construct and control the measuring device and the means for operating it that the measuringdevice. will be operated at intervals during the supply-of air to the carbureter. Vith such construction a charge of hydrocarbon liquid will be delivered to the carbureter .and then 'the measuring device will remain inactive until a given amount of air has been supplied to the carburet-,en when the measuring device will be again operated.

I/Vhile we prefer to include both ofthe features of invention above referredy to in the same apparatus for the sake of simplicity and efficiency in the operation, it willbe understood that either feature may with advantage be embodied in constructions which do not include the other feature..- `In embody--y ing these two features of invention in a simple construction, which will operate in a kreliable manner, we have also utilized various IOC further featuresof invention relating more or A All the various features of the invention -will be set forth in the claims and will be understood from the following detailed descript1o`n of an apparatus embodying all such fea tures in the forms inwhich we prefer to use .them. This apparatus is shown in the acshown' in llg. 1, and Figs. 4. and 5 are sectional details of the valve for' controlling the -supply and exhaust for the motor'which opcrates the air-pump and the motor which operates the'measuring device for delivering'the hydrocarbonliquid to the carbureter.

For convenience the hydrocarbon liquid be referred-t0 in the following descrip-- tion-as .gasolenaH it being understood that any suitable-hydrocarbon liquid which will vaporizeand mingle with the air supplied to the `carbureter,maybe employed in generating the gas.` In the .construction and arrangementJ of apparatus shown' in the vdrawings the car- Abureter A is buried in the ground at a safe distance :from the building to which the gas is to be-supplied and is connected, by means of an air-supply 'pipe-A', with the devices forv supplying air-to the carbureter, which are arranged in any convenient location within the building to which the gas is to be suppliedl" The air-supplying devices Iconsist of an airpump` and a pressure controlling device. ,he air-pump consists of an air-bell B, open at the bottom and adapted to riseand fall within a tankB, which is nearly filled with water. 7 The bell B is raised-by Water under pressure admitted to a cylinder b, arranged within -the tank B and containing a piston b', which is connected by a rod b2 withthe bell. When water under pressure is ad- `mitted to the cylinder l), it acts upon the piston 'b' and raisesthe air-bell B. During this movement of the air-bell air is drawn into the space -Within the'bell through a pipe 63, which communicates with the atmosphererthrough check-valves b4. When the water in the cylinder b is allowed `to escape, the weight of the air-bell B compresses the air Within the bell and tends to force said air7 throughI the pipe 'b3 and through a branch pipe b5, leading from the pipeba. The branch pipe b5 communicates withthe p1pe-b3 above the check-valve b4 and leads to the'lower end of apipe-b, which extends upward through the tank B and communicates with the inteL rior of asecond bell C. The `communication between the pipe `b and the branch ipe t5 is controlled by a check-valve 57, whio allowsy determining the pressure under which the air is forced to the carbureter.

` The bells B and C are soconstructed that the air-pressure developed bythe weight of the bell B is suicient toraise the bell C. The air from the bell B is therefore forced into the bell C at a rate dependin upon the rate at which the air is passing t rough the pipe A to the carbureter. After the bell B has complet'ed its downward stroke and during the time it is being raised to take in a fresh supply of air the bell C maintains the air-pressure in the pipe A leading to the carbureter and acts to force air through this pipe in case the gas generated in the carbureter is being consumed. When the cylinder b is again open to the exhaust, so that the water therein may escape, the downward movement of the bell B forces the air over into the 1nell C and raises thebell until the regulating-valve c is in position to allow a flow of air requisite to maintain the governor-bell C in position. Thus the air-pump B and the governor C act to supply air under a uniform pressure to the carbureter ata rate depending upon the rate'- of consumption ofthe gas generated in the carbureter.

The supply and exhaust of water for the cylinder b is controlled by a valve D, the movement of which alternately opens communie-ation between the cylinder b and the supply and exhaust pipes d d. The valve is operated in the proper direction and at proper intervals by the movement of the airbell B. For this purpose the air-bell is provided'wit-h a depending arm D which is connected, by means of -a chain D2, with the end of a lever D3.l The lever is mounted to turn about 'the axis of the valve D and is arranged to operate upon one-or the other of two pins D, rojecting from a weighted arm D5,

ITO

of the lvalve D. The weighted arm D5 carries a pin D, arranged to alternately engage `arms VD7'=and D8, secured to the valve D.

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3, the pin D6 on the 'weighted arm D5 has operated upon the arm Ds and moved the valve D into the position shown in Fig. 4. With the valve in this position the exh austpipe d is in communication with the pipe d2, which communicates, through a pipe d3, with the lower end of the cylinder b. The water in the cylinderl is therefore free to out through the pipe d3 and through the discharge-piped, which vdelivers-into the tank tween the supply-pipe d andthe pipe d2.

' Samva 5.-' This movement of the valves cuts oh? communication between the exhaust-pipe d and the pipe d2 and opens communication be- Water under pressure from thel supply-pipe now flows through the pipes d2 d3 into the lower end of the cylinder b and acts on the piston b to raisethe bell B. When the bell reaches its upper position, the lever D3 is rocked into the positionvshown in Fig. 3,'lifting the weighted arm D5 until it passes the vert-icahwhen it falls to the left and quickly 4shifts the valve into the 'position shown in Fig.`4, thus shutting ott communication between the supply-pipe and the cylinder B and opening up communication between the Y cylinder b and the exhaust-pipe d.

The measurin device for supplying a-ixed amount of gaso ene to -the carbureter for a given amount of air supplied to the carburet-er is located near the carbureter and consists of a measuring-bucket E. This measuring-bucket is pivoted ona weighted carrier E', arranged to reciprocate in a vertical cylinder E2, the lower end of which is connected by .a pipe E3 with a gasolene-tank F. The lower end of thecylinder E is thus iilled with gasolene and forms the reservoir from which the bucket takes a supply of gasolene at each reciprocation of the .carrier At theupper end of the cylinder ,El there is a chamber E4, the bottom of which is somewhat below .the upper end of the cylinder, so that the gasolenewhich is delivered into the chamber will not flow back into the cylinder. The

. gasolene which is delivered into the' chamber E4 by the measuring-bucket E is` conducted from said chamber to the carbureter b y a -pipe E5 leading from the lower end of the chamber to the upper end ofthe carbureter. A downwardly-extending loop E6 is Jformed in the pipe and the bottom of the chamber E4 is arrangedat a sufficient distance above the part E7 ofthe pipe beyond the loop to cause a flow of the gasolene through the pipe against the pressure in the carbureter.

`The measuring device isoperated by means of a water-motor consisting of a vertical cylinder G, within which is arranged a piston G and a weight G2. The connection between the water-motor and the measuring device consists of a shaft H, carrying pulleys H H2, to which are -secured cords H3 H4, connected with the carrier E and the piston G', respectively. The pulle7 H', about which the cord connected withv the carrier E is wound, is double the size of the pulley H2,

4about which the cord H4, connected with the piston Gl is wound, so .that a given movement of the piston G produces ltwice the movement in the carrier-E.

Then water under pressure is supplied to the lower end of the cylinder G, the water acts against the piston G to raise the piston and weight G2 in the cylinder until the upward movement .of the iston is arrested byV engagement with a stop G3. This movement of the piston and weight G2 lowers .the weighted carrier E and measuring-bucket E into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. A The measuring-bucket is so pivoted to the carrier Ef that it tends to assume the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2. As the carrieris lowered, however, the bucket is moved into a vertical position by its engagement with the upper end of the cylinder E2 and is maintained in this position while within the cylinder, as indicated in dotted lines. water in the cylinder G is allowed to escape,

the weight G2 and piston G move into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2. This movement of the weight and piston raises the carrier E/ into the full-line position shown in Fig.' 2, and as the carrier comes into this position the measurin -bucket E tips into the position shown in fu l lines, thus discharging its contents into the chamber E4. This gasolene passes from the chamberE* into the pipe E5, and thus a charge of gasolene is supplied to the carbureter equal to the capacity of the measurin device E.

The supply o water to and the exhaust of the water from the cylinder G takes place Then the IOO through a pipe G4, connecting the lower end of the cylinder with'a valve for alternately connecting the pipe with the supply and exhaust. In the apparatus as shown the supply and exhaust through the pipe Gtfis controlled by the same valveD which controls the supply and-exhaust to the cylinder b,`for1ning a part of the motor for operating the air-bell B, the pipe G4 being connected with or forming an extension of the pipe D2 leading from the valve D. Then the motor for the measuring device is thus controlled, the areas of the motor-pistons are so proportioned with relation to each other and with relation to the weight to be lifted that when the valve is moved into the position shown in Fig. 5 the measuring-device motor will be iirst operated to bring the measuring device into the dotted-line position, Fig. 2, and then the airpump motor will be operated to raise the airbell B. The measuring device will remain in the "dotted-line position until the air-bell B "has reached its upper posit-ion amt moved the valve D into the position shown in Fig. 5, when thepipe' G* will be openedy to the eX- haust and the weight G2 and piston G will immediately descend, thus raising the meas- .uring device and delivering a charge of gasolene to the carbureter. The measuring device will remain in the full-line position, Fig. 2, until the air-bell reaches its lower position and moves the valve I) into the position shown uringclevice motor, and as the operation ot this valve is controlledby the movement of the air-bell it follows that the supply of gasolene to the carburetor will be in a fixed proportion to the air supplied to the carburetor.

This construction and manner of operating and controlling the measuring device also results in a charge of gasolen'e being delivered to the carburetor for each bell full of air.

While we have shown an apparatus in which the same valve controls the supply and exhaust for both the air-pump motor and the measuring-device motor, We have found ity desirable under some circumstances-as, i'or instance, when using a light water-pressure in the supply-pipe-to employ a double valve'or two valves for controlling the supply and exhaust Jfor these motors. In case,v a double valve or two .valves are used the measuring-device motor may be opened to the exhaust at the time the air-pump motor is in communication with the supply andthe timing of the delivery of gasolene to the carbureter with relation to the movement of the air-bell be thus varied from the timing produced in the apparatus shown and already described. In either case, however, a charge of -gasolene will be supplied to the carbureter at intervals and .a charge Will be delivered for each bell full of air delivered to the carbureter by the air-supplying devices..

In the arrangement of the apparatus shown the gasolene-tanlr, the measuring devices, and themotor for themeasuring devices, as wel] as the carbureter, are all buried in' the ground, as indicated in '2. The shaft II and pulleys H" H2 are, however, ar ranged in ,a housing at the surface of the ground, Where they are accessible. The cyl# inder G extends up into this housing, and the chamber E4 is connected with the housing by means of a cylinder E", through which the carrier E may be removed when desired. The gasolene-tank F is provided with-a pipe F', extending up into the housing, through which the tank may be filled, and is also pro vided with a pipe F3, leading to the bottom of the tank, through which the contents of the tank may be removed, ifdesired. The pipe Ef is provided With a valve E8, the operatingstem of which extendsup Within the housing, Where it is accessible. i

The mixture of air and hydrocarbon vapor generated in the carbureter is conveyed back :to the building which is to be supplied with gas through a ypipe A2.

- It will be noted that with the construction and arrangement of apparatus shown all the parts containing gasolene are located outside of the building to which gas is .to be supplied,

while the air-supplying device and thevalve or valves for controlling the operation of the Vair-pump and the measuring device are located within the building, where they are conveniently accessible and Where they may operate under Yfavorable conditions.

In constructing apparatus having a large capacity we have found it desirable to provide the measuring device with a second bucket and carrier and to connect the two carriers with the same pulley, so that one is raised as the other is lowered. We have also found it desirable in some instances to provide the air-supplyingdevice with a second air-supplying bell. These modiiications and various modifications in the specific construction and arran ement of parts and various changes in the etails of construction maybe made without ldeparting from our invention as defined in the following claims.

What We claim, and desire to secure by f Letters Patent,

1. A gas apparatus having in combination a carbureter, an independent gasolene-reservoir, a conduit leading to the carbureter, a gasolene-carrying device arranged to carryv uniformly-measured uantities .of gasolene from the reservoir to t e conduit, an air-supplying device for supplying measured quantities ol' air to the carburetor, means for op' erating the air-supplying device, a motor connected to operate the measuring device, and means for controlling the motor nom the air-supplying device.

- 2. A gas apparatus having in combination a carburetor, a measuring device lor supply- .ing measured quantities of hydrocarbon liquid thereto, a motor connected to operate said measuring device, an air-supplyin de vice, a motor connected to operate sai airsupplying devices, and devices for controlling the operation of .said motors from the air-supf plying device.

ICO

VI IO 3. A gas apparatus having in combination a carburetor, a measuring device for supplying measured quantities of hydrocarbon liquid thereto, a fluid-motor connected to 0perate said measuring device, an air-supplying ldevice, a-luid-motor connected to operate said air-supplying device, and devices for controlling the exhaust and supply for said fluid-motors from the air-supplying' device.

4. A gas apparatus having in combination a carbureter, an independent gasolene-reservoir, a conduit leading to the carburetor, a gasolene-carrying device arranged't'o mor/eheL tween the gasolene-reservoir and the conduit` a fluid-motor connected to operate said gaso lelie-carrying device, an ail-#supplying device constructed'to deliver measured quantities of air to the carburetor, a fluid-motor connected to operate said air-supplying device, and de vices for controlling the exhaust and supply for sald fluid-motors from the air-supplying device.

A gas apparatus having in'combination a carbureter, an independent gasolene-reservoirfadjacent to the carbureter, a conduit leading-to the carbureter, a gasolene-carrying 'device arranged to travel between the gasolene-reservoir. and the conduit for transerrmg measured quantities of gasolene toA the conduit, a fluid-motor adjacent to the measuring devices and connected. to operate the-same, an air-supplying device remote from the carbureter, a motor for operating pipe connections between-the air-supplying' `the same, a valve adjacent tothe air-supplying device for controlling the supply and eX-l haust for thef measuring-device motor, and

deviceand carbureter and between the valve and said measuring-devicemotor, Y

6. gas apparatus having incombination a carbureter, a measuringldevice for 'supplying hydrocarbon liquid t tor connected to operate said measuring device, :an air-supplying device, -a fluid-motor connected to op'eratefsaid air-supplying dearcarbureter, a me suring devicefor supplying-hydrocarbon Iiquidthereto, a fluid-mot'or connected to ,operate the measuring dev.7. A gas appara/us having in combination vice, a controllin `-valve forsaid motor, pipe connections between the valve and motor, an

i air-supplying' belyil, a fluid-motor connected to A operate the bel ,Q and means for controlling said valve from lhe air-bell.

(a carbureter, fir-measuring 8; A gasapp/ara'tus having in combination device for su plying. hydrocarbonliquid tnereto, a flui -mo- .tor connected to operate the measuring de- 'ing sai d'valve through the movement ot' the'y air-bell.

l, an aires/upplying bell, a fluid-motor coni "4s nected to"'operate the bell, a controllingvalve for/said motors, and 'devices for operat- 9 /A gas apparatus having in combination a arbureter, a gasolene-carrying device for supplying a uniformly-measured charge of creto, a fluid-inotion, a carbureter, a conduit leading thereto,

a gasolene-reservoir, a measuring-bucket arranged to travel between thev reservoir and conduit, a cylinder, a piston therein, connections between the piston and measuringbucket, 'a conduit leading to the cylinder, an-

air-bell, a motor for operating the bell, a valve for controlling the supply and exhaust of motive fluid through the cylinder-conduit operated by the air-bell. Y ,y

11. A gas apparatus'having in combinationv a carbureter,` a conduit leading thereto, a gasolene-reservoir, a measuring-bucket E arranged to travel between the reservoir and conduit, acylinder G, a piston G therein, a shaft H provided withfpulleys H and H2, cords connecting the pulley H with the bucket and pulley H2 with the piston, a conduit leading to the cylinder, an air-supplying device connected with the carbureter, and a controlling-valve in the cylinder-conduit operated bythe air-supplying device.

12. A gas apparatus 'having in combination a carbureter, a conduit leading thereto, a g'asolene-reservoir, a measuring-bucket arranged to travelbetween the reservoir and conduit, a cylinder, a piston therein, a shaft arranged over the cylinder and reservoir, connections between the shaft and piston and between the shaft and bucket for communicating motion to the bucket from the 'piston and in the opposite direction, a conduit leading to the cylinder, an air-supplying device connected with the carbureter, and a' controlling valve in the cylinder conduit operated by the air-supplying device.

In witness whereof Iwe have hereunto set "our hands this '7th day of April, 1905.

CHARLES W. HINMAN. WALTER F. VVELLMAN.

In presence oflRA L. Frsn, G. N, GODDARD. 

